Siem Reap Temple (Big Loop) Tour Pt. 2

East Mebon

Elephant sculpture at East Mebon

One of the reasons I really wanted to go to East Mebon temple was for the elephant sculptures. I love elephants like most other people, so seeing the sculptures or carvings in the temple was really exciting.  East Mebon is a 10th century temple. It stood  on an artificial reservoir which is now dry land. The temple is made from stucco, sandstone, brick and laterite which gives it a unique colour. There are 4 elephants, one at every corner of the lower terrace.

A lot of this temple is unrestored, which I love. 

This entrance is crumbling and you can see there were lion sculptures in the front of the gate. They were considered protectors of the temple.

Main Gate

The front frame of this entrance has been restored but this doesn't take away from the temples beauty.

The was on the frame of one of the entrances. It is a sculpture of Hindu God Indra. East Mebon is a Hindu temple.

Lintel with Indra (King of Hindu Gods) on Airava

A lot of people tend to overlook the smaller temples, which to me is great. At Angkor Wat, Bayon and Ta Prohm you will the most tourists. The are overly crowded and you don't get to take your time wandering around the ruins because there are people everywhere. Also, the smaller ones are a bit more impressive than the larger ones. So, make sure to check out the smaller temples!

Main Temple

Pre Rup

View from the lower terrace

Pre Rup was the last temple we visited today. This temple is very interesting looking; it was built with the same materials as East Mebon. This temple is known as a temple mountain because of it's shape.

This is the view from the top of the temple.

This is one of my top 3 temples. It is very unique and has a lot going on here. 

This is a photo from the back of the temple from the terrace.

When you go on temple tours make sure to drink lots of water as the weather is very dry and hot. Wear a hat to keep your face out of the sun and also take your time when you are exploring.  We had the option of looking at more temples the next day but we were exhausted after spending 2 days (12 hours) exploring like 9 temples. Cambodia is a trip of a lifetime and is really amazing to see. Spend at least 3 or 4 days here to get the real feel of the city.